Pressing On... for our children

Lets continue to work together to pass this important legislation for Children. It is just too important and we are so close. Please pass this reminder on to your friends. Thanks

My Max & Kedrick

August 6, 2007

SCHIP Reauthorization Takes Two Big Steps Forward

Last week both the House and Senate passed legislation to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) guaranteeing coverage for millions of uninsured children around the country. The House approved expansion of SCHIP to $50 billion over a five year period and the Senate approved a smaller expansion of SCHIP to only $35 billion over a five year period. Although neither piece of legislation will cover all 9 million uninsured children in the U.S., both decisions are steps in the right direction. The House and Senate passed bills will now go to conference, where their differences will be resolved, and when Congress reconvenes in September, both legislative bodies are expected to vote on the negotiated package.

Take Action: President Bush has threatened to veto this important legislation. Your help is still needed. Please thank the members of Congress who voted in support of SCHIP reauthorization, and continue to contact our California elected officials (particularly Republicans) so they know you support funding at least $50 billion for children's health insurance. To contact your elected officials now, please go to: www.childrensdefense.org/takeaction.

Your Advocacy for Children's Health Insurance Made A Difference! Let's Finish The Job Together.

The success of the House and Senate bills is owed in part to your advocacy around the ALL Healthy Children Act (S. 1564/H.R. 1688) which proposes to cover all 9 million uninsured children nationwide. Through your calls, emails, and letters you have helped to keep the importance of health and mental healthcare for all children at the forefront of our elected officials’ agendas. Thank you for all of your hard work; we are making progress.

If this SCHIP Reauthorization is signed into law, we still have much work to do to ensure that the remaining uninsured children receive the coverage that they need.

Reporting on important issues in our little place in the world